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Writer's pictureAslam Abdullah

Florida: A Demographic and Electoral Profile

Updated: Sep 18




Florida gained statehood in 1845, helping the Whig candidate Zachary Taylor get elected president in 1848 – the last general election not won by a Republican or Democratic candidate. Florida was very much a southern state at the time, and it seceded during the Civil War and did not participate in the 1864 election. Like most southern states, Florida voted almost exclusively Democratic from Reconstruction until the mid-20th century before turning primarily Republican in 1952.

Florida's population has exploded over the past 70 years, and its electoral importance has grown with it, from eight electoral votes at the end of World War II to 29 during the 2010s. The state gained a 30th electoral vote after the 2020 Census, surpassing New York for third-most in the country.

Influxes of Cubans, retirees, and service workers to the theme park economy booming near Orlando and other groups resulted in a much more economically and politically diversified state than many of its southern brethren. This reputation was enhanced by the closeness of the 2000 election, where it took a month of legal wrangling to decide the winner. More recently, however, the GOP has again ascended, winning most statewide races. Donald Trump won twice here; in 2020, it was the only battleground state where he expanded his winning margin from 2016 (1.2% to 3.3%).

The Gulf State of Florida is the third most populous state in the nation, with an estimated 22,359,251 people at the start of 2023. This figure indicates 18.92% growth since the 2010 census, the sixth-highest percentage increase in the country. Florida's population makes up 6.62% of the U.S. total, and the state's population density is 417 people/mi², the eighth-highest in the country.

Florida is home to several densely populated cities. The largest of these is Jacksonville, whose population of 987,960 exceeds those of Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Alaska, Vermont, and the District of Columbia. Tallahassee, the state capital, has a population of just over 200,000 and is the ninth-most-populous city.

Nicknamed the "Sunshine State," Florida boasts many beaches and a warm climate, making it a trendy spot for vacations and those seeking sunny weather all year. The state's conservative political stance also draws many incoming residents, a trend noted in other states such as Texas and Tennessee. Florida also occupies the top spot on the list of flattest states in the U.S.

The most recent estimate was carried out in 2015 by the United States Census Bureau, and it was estimated that the state's population had reached 20,271,272. The last official census within the United States was carried out in 2010 and the East Coast state of Florida recorded a total number of citizens at 18,801,310.

Municipalities in Florida may be called cities, towns, or villages, but there is no legal distinction between the different terms. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, more than 10 million Floridians, 55% of the state's total population of 18,801,310, lived in municipalities. The remainder lived in unincorporated areas. However, 92% of the population lives in urban areas. Thus, the number of residents living in genuinely rural areas is small. The state has ten counties with just one municipality and ten counties with only two.

The median age in Florida is approximately 41.6, with a slight gender gap: 51.1% females and 48.9% males.

In religious terms, the Florida population has 70% Christian-based faiths, 24% no particular faith, and 6% non-Christian faith-based.

According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Florida was:

  • White: 67.71%

  • Black or African American: 15.74%

  • Two or more races: 9.38%

  • Other race: 4.06%

  • Asian: 2.8%

  • Native American: 0.26%

  • Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.06%

  • Muslims are 127,172 or,06 percent of the population,

 

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